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Part 6: On consideration, kindness, and thoughtfulness

Edot

Ẹ ní ká má tafà; kí ni a ó fi lé ogun? Kànnà-kànnà la fi lé Boko.
You forbid us to shoot arrows, so with what shall we repel invaders? In the past the Boko were repelled with catapaults.
(It is unhelpful to deprive people of the tools they need for what they must do.)

Ẹní fowó lògbà ló káyé já.
It is the person who uses his/her money to enjoy life that lives well.
(Money is to be used to enjoy life.)

Ẹní lówó kó ṣe bí ọba; àrà wo lahún fẹ́ fi owó dá?
Whoever has riches should act like a king; what kind of feat can a miser perform with money?
(The best thing to do with wealth is to use it to live well.)

Ẹní mọ owó-ó lò lowó ḿbá gbé.
It is the person who knows how to use wealth that wealth attaches to.
(Wealth attaches only to those who know how to use it.)

Ẹni tí ó bá máa bímọ á yọ̀ fọ́lọ́mọ.
Whoever would have children of her own must rejoice with those who already have.
(Those who seek good fortune must not begrudge those who are already fortunate.)

Ẹni tí ó gòkè, kó fa ọ̀rẹ́-ẹ rẹ̀ lọ́wọ́; ẹni tó rí jẹ, kó fún ọ̀rẹ́-ẹ rẹ̀ jẹ.
Whoever has reached the top, let him or her pull his or her friend by the hand; whoever has food to eat, let him or her share it with his or her friend.
(If one has succeeded, one should give aid to those still struggling.)

Ẹni tí ó bèèrè ọ̀rọ̀ ló fẹ́ ìdí-i rẹ̀ ẹ́gbọ́.
Whoever asks about a matter genuinely wishes to know its causes.
(If a person asks about a problem, one should appreciate the gesture and comply.)

Ẹni tí a ṣe lóore tí kò dúpẹ́, bí ọlọ́ṣà-á kóni lẹ́rù ni.
A person whom one does a favor but who shows no gratitude is like a robber who has stolen one's goods.
(Ingratitude is comparable to robbery.)

Ẹni tí ó so ìlẹ̀kẹ̀-ẹ́ parí ọ̀ṣọ́; ẹni tó fúnni lọ́mọ-ọ́ parí oore.
The person who adorns herself with beads has done the ultimate in self-beautifying; the person who gives one a child (in marriage) has done the ultimate in favor.
(There are certain gestures that cannot be surpassed.)

Ẹni tí ó ṣe ìbàjẹ́ èèyàn-án ṣe ìbàjẹ́ ara-a rẹ̀.
Whoever defames others defames himself or herself.
(The evil one does to others reflects on oneself.)

Ẹyẹlé fi ẹ̀sín-in rẹ̀ pamọ́, ó ńṣe ẹ̀sín adìẹ.
The pigeon hides its own disgrace and goes ridiculing the chicken.
(A person full of flaws insists on finding fault with others.)

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